This History was written in 1880 - Author Unknown
The Baptist denomination have had for more than a quarter of a century a society in the township of Brighton. Previous to that time, the attendants upon the Baptist services worshiped at Kensington, hence the name of the organization. In the year 1854, the membership in Brighton having reached nearly 30 in number, it was deemed expedient to erect a house of worship. A plain but commodious structure was built, and since that time the condition of the church has varied. Five years ago the Rev. G. T. Ellis filled a pastoral relation with the people, and infused new life and energy into the society. His labors have been greatly blessed, both spiritually and in a temporal sense. The house has been remodeled and greatly improved, and the membership has reached 80. A flourishing Sabbath-school is also maintained in connection with the church. Gardner Spring is the church clerk.
* Prepared by the pastor,
This church is located in Pleasant Valley, about five
miles east of the village of Brighton, on the road to Milford.
The society was organized March 9, 1873, by Rev. John C. Martin, of
Williamston, Ingham Co., who took charge of the church as its pastor, and
labored arduously to promote the interests of the work committed to his care. At
the time of its organization there were 24 members, nearly all heads of
families, and they found that much persistency was required to stem the tide of
opposition that set against them. The society held their services at that time
in what is known as the Lyon School-house, and notwithstanding the persistent
opposition, their numbers increased, and they steadily and confidently looked
ahead to the prosperity that awaited them. In the fall of 1873, Rev. J. H.
Canfield was invited to serve them as pastor, and during the following winter
his labors among them resulted in a powerful revival of religion, the influence
of which was widely felt.
In the spring of 1874 a project was entered into to build a house of
worship, and through the energy and persistent efforts of the pastor, assisted
by some of his members, sufficient subscriptions were raised to cover the entire
expense of the contemplated building. They looked upon the "pay as-you-go"
system as being safest in the end, hence all bills were promptly paid; and when
the church was completed, it was dedicated to the Lord as free property, without
a mortgage or debt. The church is 48 feet long by 32 feet wide, and the posts
are 18 feet high. The seats are so arranged as to comfortably seat about 250
persons. Mr. Thomas Hunter took the contract for building, and the work was
executed conscientiously, and to the entire satisfaction of the committee. It
was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1874, and a large congregation
listened to the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. Adam Crooks, of Syracuse,
N.Y., who was called a few months after to enter his eternal rest. The whole
cost of building the church, as reported by the board of trustees, was $1727.50.
The society having a house of worship of their own, took new courage, and
as they put forth increased efforts to improve the moral condition of the
community, they were permitted to see a corresponding degree of increase in the
interests of the society. New members were added from time to time, and many who
had not been in sympathy with them attended their meetings.
